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Dodge County officials press NDOT on structures, drainage and liability before road relinquishment
Summary
Dodge County officials told the commission they are concerned highway relinquishment to the county will leave unsafe culverts, poor drainage and roadside hazards; NDOT staff said they would continue working with the county and that liability conversations have occurred but requested written confirmation of expectations.
During public comment at the Dec. 6 meeting, Bob Missle, who identified himself as chair of the Dodge County Board of Supervisors and a Fremont resident, urged NDOT to address structures and drainage issues before relinquishing sections of the old Highway 30 (now Platte River Road) to the county. Missle said culverts, ditches and roadside structures across the right of way are in poor condition and that turning the road over without fixing those elements would create safety and financial burdens for the county.
Missle described specific concerns about culverts and other structures that he called "construction‑level" work (replacement, not surface maintenance) and said he had counted nearly 200 structures that intersect county roads and NDOT right of way in his area. He said temporary opening of the road to the public while contract work remained incomplete raised liability and safety concerns.
NDOT staff responded that the agency has been working with Dodge County and that plan‑in‑hand reviews and district engineers typically define what constitutes a road "in a state of good repair" for relinquishment. NDOT said resources typically accompany relinquishment and that staff would continue to work with the county to clarify expectations. NDOT also noted the county had an email indicating liability discussion but that Missle had not yet received a formal letter in writing.
The exchange ended with NDOT staff committing to follow up through the deputy director of operations and the district engineer to ensure clarity on what will be provided with relinquishment and to address safety‑critical items in coordination with the county.
